Antenna Raising SJRA and KC3BVL

SJRA Members Come Together to Assist with an Antenna Raising in Atco NJ with PackRat KC3BVL and Fellow Operator N0ROL

AA2SD November 9th  2024 - During a beautiful fall day in early November Jim KC3BVL, Gerard KD2YTU, Scott AA2SD, Joe KC2TN, and Bruce N0ORL came together in ATCO NJ, to assist with the installation of a 135 ft Palomar off center fed dipole antenna. The task at hand for this day included placing 3 lines into (3) very tall trees to secure the permanent mount. As part of this installation Bruce mounted pulleys to the center of the dipole and on each end to allow for maintenance of the antenna.

Gerard KD2YTU, a professional tree climber, easily took on the task and utilized a large slingshot to launch the pull thru lines into each tree site. He was able to launch each of his lines with speed and accuracy as he placed  the line in the V crotch of the upper tree branches. This off center Palomar dipole antenna proved to have excellent SWR on multiple bands with a quick test by the antenna analyzer.

Thanks to all who participated in this fun event to help get Bruce N0ORL, and Jim KC3BVL on the air. Jim, an experienced Pack Rat on Low Signal VHF, does not operate HF from his Philadelphia location but with the addition of this dipole he can now operate from this ATCO NJ location on multiple HF Bands. We look forward to working  Jim KC3BVL on the air and Bruce N0ORL, and thank Gerard KD2YTU and Joe KC2TN for their help.

You can view a YOU TUBE of the actual sling shot of the line into the tree by Gerard, which now has over 6,000 views, way to go Gerard !  KD2YTU at the following link here.

• For more information on Paloma Antennas please visit https://palomar-engineers.com/antenna-products

About the SJRA: The South Jersey Radio Association (SJRA) is the oldest continuously operating amateur radio club in North America, incorporated June 12, 1916. The club has been affiliated with the American Radio Relay League since 1920. Our membership is mostly from Burlington and Camden Counties in New Jersey, we also have members in Utah, Arizona, California , South Dakota, Florida and Ireland.